Panaji: The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Ryan Fernandes, who has been serving a life sentence in the 2005 case pertaining to the murder of his father-in-law Dr. Shrikant Verenkar.

The petitioner Fernandes had challenged the order of the State Sentence Review Board given on June 16, 2021, rejecting the proposal for his premature release.

The top court pointed out in its order the statement of Superintendent of Police, North, that family members consisting of Fernandes’ mother and wife are ready to accept him if released prematurely.

It said the decision taken by the State Sentence Review Board is quashed.

The top court said the decision of the State Sentence Review Board has been set aside and the petitioner herein is directed to be released forthwith.

Fernandes was married to Dr. Verenkar’s daughter but the couple was not living together, as the marriage had failed.

Dr. Verenkar, 60, was abducted by Fernandes and his accomplices on January 17, 2005 from Mangor Hill in Vasco when the doctor was on his morning walk. Dr. Verenkar’s body was discovered two days later at an isolated spot at Cansaulim.

Fernandes was sentenced to death by the Margao sessions court in 2007. The sentence was later converted to life sentence by the High Court of Bombay at Goa in 2012.